Western Oregon baseball begins 2026 under head coach Kellen Walker in his 14th season. The Wolves look to rebound from an 18-26 campaign (14-18 GNAC) in 2025. They finished fourth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings but lost significant offensive production from graduated seniors. With promising incoming talent and a pitching staff anchored by returners, Walker’s program aims to return to championship contention. His tenure boasts a .601 overall winning percentage.
Offensive Departures
Owen Bischoff (.323, 12 2B, 1 3B, 14 RBI) led the team in games played with 43 starts before graduating. John Oleson (.308, 9 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 32 RBI) provided consistent middle-of-the-order production across 44 games. Andre Jackson II (.255, 7 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI) offered versatility as a utility player in 32 games. Ruben Cedillo (.233, 6 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 15 RBI) added power in 35 appearances. Danner Salisbury (.294, 1 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI) flashed potential in limited action.
Calvin Tenorio (.222, 1 2B, 5 RBI), Randy Stultz (.183, 5 2B, 2 3B, 11 RBI), and Trey Nelson (.148, 3 HR, 11 RBI) also exhausted their eligibility. Kaynan Kaku Jr. (.143, 3 RBI), Ivan Ruiz (.125), Dylan Mohler (.000, 1 RBI), and Cedric Gatter (.250, 3 RBI) complete the departures.
Returning Hitters
Zane Garvey returns as the offensive catalyst for the 2026 Western Oregon baseball team. He posted a .333/.465/.407 slash line with 8 2B, 1 3B, 23 RBI, and 4 steals in 42 games. Collin Irwin (.315, 7 2B, 2 3B, 26 RBI) provides veteran leadership behind the plate as a senior catcher. Gunnar Shiotani (.222, 1 2B, 3 RBI) adds catching depth after limited action in four games. Tyler Mohler (.202, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 15 RBI) brings experience across 38 games as a senior outfielder/first baseman.
Grafton Stroup (.233, 4 2B, 2 RBI) returns to the infield after 12 games. Alex Harden, a senior from Shoreline CC, strengthens the infield depth (did not appear in 2025). Gavin Shary, a senior outfielder from Colby CC, returns (did not appear in 2025). Robby Shepherd (.154, 1 2B, 8 RBI) looks to expand his role as a sophomore outfielder. Darin Chapman (.107, 3 RBI) provides senior infield experience after 31 games. David Loera, a senior catcher/first baseman from Chaffey, adds veteran depth behind the plate (did not appear in 2025).
Incoming Hitters
Jayger Baldwin (Colorado Northwestern CC) bolsters the outfield after junior college experience. Chris Arce (Cañada College; .364/.462/.510, 16 2B, 2 HR, 25 SB) strengthens the infield with elite on-base skills. Tanner Goertz (Miles CC; .329/.453/.484, 9 2B, 5 HR, 7 SB) provides outfield power and speed. Jason Olsen (Butte CC; .286/.405/.464, 9 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR) offers corner versatility at first base and outfield. Finn O’Connor (Monterey Peninsula) adds infield depth as a junior transfer. Benny Nazario (College of Marin) brings senior infield experience. Tanner Larsen (Lane CC) rounds out the outfield additions. Evan McGuire (Clark CC; .839 OPS, 10 XBH) provides two-way versatility.Freshman Alex Angevine (Port Angeles HS) completes the position player additions.
Pitching Departures
Devin Bell anchored the staff with a 2.39 ERA across a team-high 75.1 IP. He posted a 6-3 record with 77 strikeouts and two complete games. Jacob Memmott (7.68 ERA, 38.2 IP, 23 K) logged significant innings despite a 2-6 record in 10 appearances (9 starts). Bryce Bond (5.18 ERA, 40 IP, 41 K) provided bullpen stability with three saves and a 2-3 record. Dominic Tatone (0.00 ERA, 3 IP, 5 K), Chris Jones (4.80 ERA, 15 IP, 9 K), and Kade Coombe (6.48 ERA, 16.2 IP, 13 K) also depart. Owen Murdock (11.37 ERA, 6.1 IP, 7 K), Carson Kruckman (17.36 ERA, 4.2 IP, 1 K), and Caleb Malloy (11.37 ERA, 6.1 IP, 5 K) round out the losses.
Returning Pitchers
Shane Bailey (5.87 ERA, 30.2 IP, 20 K) leads the returners after 16 relief appearances with one save as a junior. Josh Johnson (5.60 ERA, 27.1 IP, 17 K) returns as a sophomore after posting a 3-3 record in 9 appearances (6 starts). Ayden Holker (8.69 ERA, 29 IP, 17 K) provides innings depth as a junior despite an 0-4 record. Logan Larrance (7.76 ERA, 29 IP, 15 K) offers pitching flexibility after 10 appearances. Aidan Melendrez (5.06 ERA, 10.2 IP, 4 K) and Ben Edwards (6.00 ERA, 3 IP, 3 K) add veteran bullpen options as redshirt seniors.
Incoming Pitchers
Aaron Platner (Northern Colorado; 24.2 IP, 26 K, 2.19 ERA, 0.85 WHIP with LCC in 2024) arrives as a junior after sitting out 2025. Hunter Lutman (Lower Columbia/Utah Valley; 67 IP, 73 K, 1.48 ERA with LCC in 2024) brings elite strikeout ability after not pitching in 2025. Evan McGuire (Clark CC; 59 IP, 5.19 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) adds two-way depth. Gianvito Carriglio (Cañada College), Jake Farr (Glendale CC), Devin Bettencourt (Cañada College), Max Holden (Miles CC), Sam Hall (Miles CC), Jesse Brown (Big Bend CC), and Michael Fitzgerald (Mt. Hood CC) all bring junior college experience.
Freshmen Wyatt Rosales (Cypress HS) and Ethan Yazzie (Apple Valley HS) round out the pitching additions.
Outlook
The 2026 Western Oregon baseball season centers on replacing elite pitching production. The Wolves will capitalize on Zane Garvey and Collin Irwin’s offensive leadership. Kellen Walker’s 14th season requires significant contributions from incoming transfers and development from returning arms. After finishing fourth in the GNAC standings, the Wolves aim to return to championship form. Walker’s tenure includes five regular season titles and six tournament championships.
The Western Oregon baseball schedule opens with four games at Fresno Pacific (Feb 5-7). Road series at Chico State (Feb 13-15) and Stanislaus State (Feb 20-22) follow. GNAC play begins February 27-28 at Northwest Nazarene. Home conference series against Central Washington (March 7-8), Saint Martin’s (March 28-29), Northwest Nazarene (April 3-4), and Montana State Billings (April 17-18) highlight the slate. The Wolves will also face non-conference opponent George Fox on March 10 and April 8. A mid-season test comes at Cal State Monterey Bay March 20-22.
